Quentin Grimes has been a lone bright spot during the end of a dark season for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Because of bad play and injuries to multiple key players, the Sixers will likely miss the postseason for the first time since 2017, opening up opportunities for younger, less experienced players to take advantage of.
On Feb. 4, the 76ers made what seemed like an insignificant move by acquiring shooting guard Quentin Grimes from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Caleb Martin. Since then, Grimes has reshaped the trajectory of his career.
Young Grimes’s Obvious Talent
Before declaring for the 2021 NBA Draft, Grimes spent a year at the University of Kansas and two years at the University of Houston.
Grimes’s last year in Houston was remarkable. He averaged 17.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. His efforts that year earned him third-team All-American and first-team All-American Athletic Conference (AAC) selections. He was also named the AAC Tournament MVP after scoring 21 points in the championship game win over Cincinnati. After that, Grimes announced that he would forgo his final college year and enter the NBA draft.
During the draft, the Los Angeles Clippers selected Grimes with the 25th pick but traded him to the New York Knicks.
Path to Philadelphia
Grimes didn’t get many opportunities in his rookie year. In 46 games, he averaged a mere 6.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game. But when he did get an opportunity, he made sure to take advantage.
On Dec. 12, he got his first career start against the Milwaukee Bucks and finished with 27 points and seven three-pointers.
The Knicks granted Grimes more playing time the next year. In the 2022-23 campaign, he played 71 games and started in 66. While playing 29.9 minutes a game, he logged averages of 11.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.
During the 2023-24 season, Grimes played 45 games for the Knicks before being traded to the Detroit Pistons. Because the Pistons were overloaded at the shooting guard spot, Grimes only played six games with them.
Before the 2024-25 season began, the Pistons traded Grimes to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Tim Hardaway Jr. and three second-round picks. In the 47 games Grimes played in Dallas, he averaged 10.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per contest.
However, there was a glaring issue between Grimes and the Mavericks’ front office.
Grimes is in the last year of his four-year rookie contract. Despite Dallas being fans of Grimes, the two sides couldn’t agree on a contract extension before the season. Before risking losing him to free agency for nothing, Dallas traded Grimes to Philadelphia on Feb. 4.
Another Regret for the Mavericks
Although the Mavericks are still contending for a Play-In spot, they might regret letting Grimes go.
With Tyrese Maxey and standout rookie Jared McCain sidelined, Grimes has produced numbers even better than those from his days at the University of Houston. In the 20 games he’s played for the 76ers, he’s averaged 22.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He’s also recorded two 40-plus point performances, including a career-high 46 points against the Houston Rockets.
In the summer, Grimes will become a restricted free agent, which means the 76ers can match any offer he receives. Though his production is increasing, the 76ers must figure out how he’ll fit when Maxey and McCain return.
Nevertheless, Quentin Grimes has shown that he’s worth a lot more money than some teams thought.
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